It is vital to keep things running to time on big day - with so much happening and limited time to get things done, you'll only ever get one shot to get it right.

So whilst we wouldn't dream of suggesting that either the Bride or Groom spends the day with one eye on a clock, it is absolutely essestial that someone does.

Timetables should be drafted up prior to the day (see the article entitled Reception Timetable for help on this) and should be distributed to all key parties. The Best Man, the Chief Bridesmaid, Ushers, and both sets of parents should all know the plan for the day, and it is essential the venue and your suppliers are also aware of things. However, if you want to really ensure that your days runs like clockwork, then is imperative that someone takes the overall lead.

Perhaps this sounds like a duty for the Best Man or one of the dads, but rather than burdening them with the task, why not consider hiring a Toastmaster/Master of Ceremonies (MC). Toastmasters will take full responsibility for getting the right people to the right places at the right time and for a small amount of cash (in the grand scheme of things) can give the Bride and Groom one less thing to worry about.

The key responsibilities of a Toastmaster are:

Welcoming guests on arrival

Organising the receiving line (optional)

Collecting and storing gifts

Ensuring guests are seated at the approptiate time.

Announcing the Bride and Groom at the start of the wedding breakfast

Saying Grace (optional)

Co-ordinating your suppliers in line with your timetable

Announcing events – such as games in the garden, drinks in the lobby, or the cutting of the cake;

Ensuring the observation of wedding etiquette (optional);

Reading cards, messages and telegrams and circulates the guest book.

Of course, Toastmasters also have the added advantage of coming with their very own red tailcoat and gavel (the wooden hitty used to get peoples attention thing for those of you who haven't seen Bargain Hunt!)Typical costs are around £400 for the day and could be well worth the expense if you or your partner is the sort to take it upon themselves to carry out even some of these roles.

As with all suppliers make sure you agree your specific requirements with them in advance and prior to agreeing a fee. For added security, try to ensure that whoever you book is a member of a professional body such as the Guild of International Professional Toastmasters, the National Association of Toastmasters or the Federation of Professional Toastmasters.

One last thing to do before dashing off to check the Weddingsday Supplier Directory to search for local toastmasters is to speak to the venue. Certain venues are able to provide someone to act as a master of ceremonies, and on some occasions will throw this service in free of charge. That said, you should bear in mind that the venue-supplied MC will normally just be an event manager or wedding co-ordinator and as such the service you get won't be as good as that from a professional toastmaster, not to mention the fact that they won't be anywhere near as impressive (appearance-wise). That said, if cash is tight, then it could be a sensible option.

Whatever your decision, just make sure that someone knows what's happening and ensures that everyone sticks to it!

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Related: There are hundreds of wedding articles on the site, each filled with superb ideas, advice and inspiration. Check out the links in the left hand column to read more. Alternatively, to search for a local wedding venue, product or service provider, try our Wedding Directory. With over 13,000 companies already listed, you're sure to find what you're looking for.